I wanna be mortgage free!

ajmoney

Go for whatever then, luxury sounds good to me and all will provide the indulgences. I love the sound of those two bathrooms but that is me, maybe it would be nice to have the luxury in the room that has been giving you a headache

ajmoney

twinklie wrote: »

Secondary science...for my sins. :A

Did you get loads of support in your NQT year? Rich's mentor is off with stress :eek: so the head of music is stepping in but isn't filling him with confidence. He is being eased in with 2nd, 3rd and 5th years tomorrow before he gets the newcomers on Thurs. He is a music teacher but the school don't make an effort to teach the kids how to read music and they haven't got a syllabus, he is getting really nervous because of the lack of support

twinklie

Awww....I was really lucky, I have a great team around me. The HOD was as useful as a chocolate teapot (he was also my mentor)...but everyone else was ace. Plus one of the other guys became HOD around easter and he's amazing. He's my teaching hero!!!

I think I'd be worried too by the sound of it. Having said that we didn't have any schemes of work or anything for key stage 3 - obviously did for GCSE, but no resources. The think I'd say is not to suffer in silence, people get busy at the start of the year, if he doesn't ask for help they'll forget about him and won't offer it. It's not nasty just they have lots of other things on their plate.

If there is anything I can help him with I gladly will despite the different systems (England/scotland) and the different subjects...there will be lots of support I could probably offer. Is he signed up to the TES website? That was a God send for me last year.

The other thing I'd say is to make the effort to speak to people. It's amazing how many people feel the same way about things...but you'd never know. It can be isolating unless you make the effort to mix with people - it's hard to force yourself to do so when you're thinking you've got a million and one things to do....which you will.

ajmoney

He has got great support from staff at two of his placement schools and HOD from a school he did work experience at before he started college but it is a very small network up here e.g. teachers from one school married to those from his new school.

He spoke to HOD today and he thinks it shocked him into doing some work. Thing is he has had a career in the forces for 29 years and is used to systems being in place so it makes it tough for him to go with the flow. I have given him some ideas for the first years but he is going to see how it goes, he is just really keen.

As for TES, I have tried for about two years, maybe soon he will listen, do they have a support network for advice etc?

twinklie

Yup...on the forums. There are lots of resources people put up there as well. I've had a few things I was unsure about so it was nice to gauge opinions of people not connected to me or the school.

Yeah schools run very much at their own pace. I found it very annoying and stressful in September....but by March I had learned just to go with it.

ajmoney

I am chatting to him on MSN at the mo, cut and paste your comments to him. He is encouraged by them so thank you, I think he thought that everyone else gets on really well. He is considering TES aaargh!!!! Thank you from both of us :T

twinklie

Awww...hope I have been of some help. It is a stressful time though. You really want to do the best you can and everyone just seems to expect you to know what to do. You're questioning everything and is what you're doing good enough. Turns out people aren't really that bothered because you're doing alright. Would be nice if they told you occasionally....but they won't/don't!

twinklie

Just realised I made teaching sound quite grim there....it can be if you don't make time for YOU! I love my job and wouldn't change it for the world though. Its the hardest thing I've ever done but also the most rewarding! It took me until well after christmas to be 100% sure though and to settle into it a bit more.

Having said that I'm in no rush to get back! ha ha

StuartGMC

Twinklie
Weekend away; I guess the only "hidden" costs would be meals if eating at any of them; often good room deals means balance is made up with "generous" prices to eat there (breakfast and/or dinner). This seems a very important event based on your last post and in the bigger picture it won't take long to make up for the spend. So, I would ignore the prices (gulp will MSE software allow that?) and focus on the most appropriate regarding location to other amenities, or food recommendations etc.

Above all, both of you enjoy yourselves, you deserve it :A

twinklie

To be honest Stuart they all include breakfast and are within a few minutes walk of each other! I'm finding it really hard because I'd normally ask DH what he thinks! Ha ha. Honestly while money is something I'm conscious of, like you say....blow the money and lets do the most indulgent thing.

Think I'm going to sleep on it, see if anyone else has something to say and then just book one. GULP! I can't spend anymore time on it I've too much to do!